Our hearts will be eased a little...

AELW3:7

Genesis 15:1. After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield; your reward shall be very great.

"Accounts of this kind should be carefully noted, in order that we may be able to comfort those who are in sorrow. For a trial is sent to keep us from exalting ourselves because of the gifts we have. But even though it is hard to suffer such distress of heart, we should nevertheless be buoyed up and, as it were, lighten those hurts, because we know that the forgiveness of sins is unimpaired and unchangeable. Let us keep this gift in mind and prefer it to others. Indeed, in comparison with this gift let us despise all the others, however great and glorious they may be. In this way our hearts will be eased a little."

I wonder...

Who was in Luther's Greek class???

AELW3:5

"If someone is able to write four Greek words, to explain one psalm, he is puffed up by his knowledge as if by yeast. The result is that he thinks he is walking on the clouds, far above other human beings.

I learned to recognize this disease soon enough, since I was warned by so many accounts of the Holy Scriptures. At the beginning of the Reformation, therefore, when God involved me in this faction (if I may call it that) against my will and by means of wonderful opportunities, I asked Him fervently to deliver me from this evil. He heard my prayer; for He kept me free from this temptation, although not so free that I did not feel it. He kept me occupied to such an extent with responsibilities, worries, perils, and hardships that all ambition was readily shut out of my mind."

Volume 3 - Genesis 15-20

LUTHER’S
WORKS

VOLUME 3

LECTURES ON GENESIS

Chapters 15–20

Two Volumes down 52 to go!

Two volumes now completed, only 52 more to go. What a great adventure it has been so far, hearing the commentary of Luther, pointing to the grace of Christ....

Father Abraham has...

the heart of a true pastor, not looking to himself, but clinging; "to the promise of eternal life."

AELW 2:397

"Thus you see that the holy patriarch Abraham is endowed with all virtues. For the sake of his nephew Lot he serves in utmost love those who were unworthy of his kindnesses. When he has achieved the victory, he is not eager to increase his wealth and power but has a heart that is free of ambition, greed, and other lusts; and he clings only to the promise of eternal life and to the Possessor of heaven and earth."

Abraham, Alexander, Hannibal, and Scipios

AELW 2:374

"The Alexanders, the Hannibals, and the Scipios vie among themselves over supremacy in the glory of achievement, but I place Abraham ahead of them all.

He faces the enemy, not with a blind attack or with reckless daring but in faith; and so he is victorious. He had an insight that neither Alexander nor Scipio could have: through the Holy Spirit he brings along from home into battle the conviction that he would be victorious and that he would release his brother Lot. This is what is most admirable in his victory; and this is why it surpasses all the victories of all the heathen, be they ever so brilliant."

The faith of Abraham

AELW 2:353

"Indeed, I would go even further and say that just as we now praise Abraham because of this gift, so he would praise us in the New Testament even more; for he saw the day of Christ, as John 8:56 states. But he saw it only in faith and in the spirit.

But we see this glory face to face. We hear God speaking with us and promising forgiveness of sins in Baptism, in the Supper of His Son, and in the true use of the keys. These Abraham did not have, but he saw in the spirit and believed.

Therefore our glory is greater; but because we do not take care of it or thank God enough for such great gifts of grace, our studious concern for power and pleasure is greater. Consequently, the Turk, the pope, and countless other devils must come from Italy, Spain, and all the corners of the earth, to vex, afflict, and kill us because of our unspeakable and disgraceful contempt.

Thus the church is the pupil of Christ. It sits at His feet and listens to His Word, that it may know how to judge everything—how to serve in one’s vocation and to fill civil offices, yes, how to eat, drink, and sleep—so that there is no doubt about any area of life, but that we, surrounded on all sides by the rays of the Word, may continually walk in joy and in the most beautiful light."

Quotes like this keep me reading Luther!

AELW2:343

"Hannibal thinks that he is conquering the Romans by reason of the great courage and the extraordinary diligence he possesses. Alexander has greater gifts, which enable him to be successful in all his undertakings. But these are “masks.” They are the only things we see. But God’s control, by which governments are either strengthened or overturned, we do not see.

This is what it really means when Nineveh is called a city of God, and likewise when the trees are said to be trees of God; for they are controlled and fostered by God so that they grow. Even if they are helped by human industry and labor as well, these would be vain without God’s blessing. And who, I ask you, takes care of the forests and the groves, the trees in the vast uninhabited places?

Christ says (Matt. 5:45): “Your heavenly Father lets His sun rise over the good and the evil.” He calls the sun God’s sun, which He Himself created to invigorate nature.

Thus what is called a garden of God here is not, as the Jews prattle, a large one; it is one that is cultivated not only by human hands and effort but by God, because the Lord makes it fertile and blesses it.

It is said that traces of this gift are in existence to this day. For near the Dead Sea the most beautiful fruits are produced; but when they are opened, they are full of a vile odor and ashes, obviously, as the poet says, “monuments of an ancient crime.” (emphasis mine)

God, grant me the wisdom..

to avoid this peril...

AELW2:340

"Hence the German proverbs about the young doctor of medicine who needs a new cemetery, about the jurist who recently took over a public office and starts wars all over the place, and about the young theologian who fills hell with souls. Because these men lack the practical experience that engenders wisdom, they do everything in accordance with their own canons and rules. This is why they get into difficulties and make mistakes to the great detriment of people and affairs."

Another post on brothers in the faith

AELW2:335

"Everything is less burdensome if you have a brother with you; for then the promise applies (Matt. 18:20): “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Therefore solitude should be shunned and the companionship of familiar people sought, especially in spiritual perils."

The comfort of speaking to a brother in the faith!

I find this comment to very true. Thanks be to God for all the faithful, thanks be to God for my brothers in the faith.

AELW2:335

"Even if one’s heart is well grounded by the Holy Spirit, it remains a great advantage to have a brother with whom one can converse about religion and from whom one can hear words of comfort."

A German Proverb

AELS2:334

"Thus the German proverb is true: Finstere Kirchen und liechte herzen. Somber churches and illuminated hearts commonly go together. Such was the church of Abraham, in which was heard the voice of God and true worship. But look at the churches; they are often resplendent, but the hearts are gloomy or even blind.

Thus it is not the stones, the construction, and the gorgeous silver and gold that make a church beautiful and holy; it is the Word of God and sound preaching. For where the goodness of God is commended to men and hearts are encouraged to put their trust in Him and to call upon God in danger, there is truly a holy church. Whether it is a dark nook or a bare hill or a barren tree, it is truthfully and correctly called a house of God and a gate of heaven, even though it is without a roof, under the clouds and the open sky.

Therefore one must pay primary attention to the character of the teaching and prayer, not to the character of the building. What God demands is that people be converted and He be glorified, but this is achieved solely through the Word and prayer."

An invincible lack of knowledge...

This is a really great quote. I include the footnote on this one.

AELW2:313

"In their schools the theologians enumerate other kinds of ignorance. The first kind is the one they call “invincible,”( see footnote) which was invented to excuse shortcomings, because it cannot be overcome or improved through any effort or perseverance. Thus Cicero’s lack of knowledge of God is invincible. When you read his treatises De natura deorum and De finibus bonorum et malorum, you realize that he has omitted nothing that mankind is able to attain by means of human reason and all its powers; yet he does not know what God’s will is and what His attitude is toward us. The reason for this lack of knowledge is that the ability to know God comes, not from our innate reason but from the Spirit of God, who enlightens our minds through the Word. Since Cicero lacked this, he had to struggle with a lack of knowledge that was invincible."

(footnote here)

“If ignorance be such that it is altogether involuntary, either because it is invincible, or because it pertains to that which a man is not obliged to know, then such ignorance completely excuses one from wrongdoing.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologica, I–II, Q. 76, Art. 3."

The present and the future...

I am reminded of Romans 8:26..."^Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

AELW2:309

"The flesh habitually looks only at the things that are present and is influenced and impressed only by them; but it regards as worthless the things that are not present, those which the Word teaches, because it does not see them. Therefore it transgresses under both conditions, when its prospects are bright and when they are unfavorable. When they are bright, it does not keep within the bounds of moderation; for it does not see the threatening evils. When they are unfavorable, it cannot be comforted; for nowhere does it see the deliverance that the Word promises.

And yet in the godly there remains a sighing that has its seat in the innermost heart; and in some measure, although very faintly, it opposes the distrust and despair and impatience that are in the flesh, lest we become blasphemers. This the Lord regards; the rest He forgives."

Complete Trust...

AELW2:302

"How the world is accustomed to act is well known. Harmony, says the poet, is rare even among brothers. And we observe that from the most insignificant matter - or as we say in German, from pigeon droppings - quarrels arise among neighbors. In these circumstances suspicious and hatred prevail.

But even though the Christian trusts no human being, he does not hate any human being either; and although he maintains that no one is so strong that he cannot be overcome either by his desires or by satan, he is still very hopeful about everybody, even about evil men. Thus he keeps love chaste, pure, and strong also toward his friends; but his complete trust he has placed in the goodness of God alone."

A great quote regarding faith

AELW2:266-267

"For faith is a vigorous and powerful thing; it is not idle speculation, nor does it float on the heart like a goose on the water. But just as water that has been heated, even though it remains water, is no longer cold but is hot and an altogether different water, so faith, the work of the Holy Spirit, fashions a different mind and different attitudes, and makes an altogether new human being."

A short history of the church

Luther regarding Genesis 12:1-4

AELW2:265

"If you desire to reduce to a few words the history of the church from the time of Abraham until today, carefully consider these four verses. You will see the blessing, and you will also see some who curse; but these, in turn, God has cursed so that they utterly perished, while the eternal blessing of the church has remained unshaken. Hence this passage is in agreement with the first sermon about the Seed who crushes the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). The church does not lack enemies; it is troubled, and it sighs; and yet it overcomes through the Seed and finally triumphs forever over all its enemies."

"But just as the Lord gave a warning above about the bite of the serpent, so here He warns that the seed of Abraham will encounter some who will curse it. But if we are hurt by the world and the devil, the damage is slight, since we have the angels, yes, even God Himself to bless us and annihilate our adversaries. "

In the company of angels

Genesis 12:3. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.


AELW2:259 and 2:261

"The church never runs out of enemies and opponents. For Satan hates it, and for this reason he plots against it in various ways and stirs up perils of every kind."

"Therefore it is proper for us to contrast the blessing in this passage with the curse under which all human beings are because of sin. The curse has been taken away by Christ, and a blessing will be bestowed on an who receive Him and believe in His name. The remarkable blessing is this, that after being freed from sin, from death, and from the tyranny of the devil, we are in the company of the angels of God and have become partakers of eternal life."

Creatio ex nihilo

Abram was created out of nothing, and so are we...

Regarding Abram, Genesis 12:1

12:1. "Now the Lord said to Abram: Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you."


AELW2:246

"For if you should ask what Abraham was before he was called by a merciful God, Joshua (24:12) answers that he was an idolater, that is, that he deserved death and eternal damnation. But in this wretched state God does not cast him away; He calls him and through the call makes everything out of him who is nothing."

A long quote on worship, but a great one...

Luther's commentary on Genesis 11:31-32, regarding Ur of the Chaldeans...

AELW2:243

"The examples of all times teach that the Word of truth and the true forms of worship are despised by the common people. Hence when new teachers arise, they present itching ears to them; and truly, as Moses says (Deut. 29:19): “The drunkard seizes the thirsting.” Perverse teachers are most ready to teach, and the common people are most eager to listen. In this manner the Word and the true forms of worship become lost. The Anabaptists proclaim the new doctrine that children should not be baptized, because they cannot have faith, since they are without reason and do not understand the Word. The common people had heard nothing of this kind from us, and so they received that idea with great applause. The Sacramentarians, Zwingli, Oecolampadius, and their like contend that when Christ says: “This is My body,” He does not mean that with the bread or under the bread He is giving His body, but that only bread is received and wine is drunk, and that the body of Christ is not received and His blood is not drunk. These teachers the ignorant common people admire and follow. But we, who do not allow ourselves to be diverted from the words of Christ, are regarded as not one whit sounder or better than the papists. Such is the custom of the world: it despises the Word and admires what is new."

Our Heroes

AELW2:240

"But the Scriptures reveal that even the greatest heroes of the church were human beings, that is, that they often fell, often sinned, and nevertheless were received back into grace by a merciful God. So these examples are useful both to instill the fear of God into hearts and to sustain faith or trust in mercy."

Secular History

AELW2:236

Referring to the history recorded in the first eleven chapters of genesis.

"secular histories present nothing but what mankind has achieved by dint of reason and effort. But the Word of God is a greater gift, just as the Spirit, by whom the hearts of the godly are ruled, is a greater gift than reason. The former are earthly, but the latter are heavenly and divine; and for this reason they deserve our highest praise and admiration."

No matter how bad it may seem...

Christ is still LORD of the Church

AELW 2:235

"In these eleven chapters Moses has preserved the memory of this great blessing. From it we, who have sound doctrine and pure religion, may gain the sure hope that also in our era the ungodly will fall, but that the church will be victorious and triumph."

The personal prounouns remove the fig leaf

These towers are still built today in the way in which worship is understood. It is the nature in which personal pronouns are latticed together in song by which the gifts of God are either glorified, or by which the towers focusing upon men are exposed.

Genesis 11:4, "Come let us build ourselves a city..."

AELW2:211

"I believe their motive is expressed in the words: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower.” These words are evidence of smug hearts, which put their trust in the things of this world without trusting God and despise the church because it lacks all power and pomp."(Emphasis original to AELW, actually Luther had ourselves in all caps)

Don't be a Nimrod

Commentary on Genesis 10:9

AELW2:198

"He (Nimrod) wanted to be regarded as godly and benign, as one who is of service to the state and is needed by the church; otherwise he would not have received such great acclamation from the masses. But he is truly a Nimrod, an apostate and a tyrant, an abuser and pillager of the human race, and finally a persecutor and slayer of holy men and true priests. They attempted to promote human welfare by taking that grand title from him. The godly, who adhere to the Word, neither can nor should disregard the plans and endeavors of the ungodly. But when they act accordingly, they are threatened with the sword and war, and the church suffers under unjust tyranny."

A view of the "Life of the World to come"

AELW:2:196

"It was not easy for Lazarus in his great distress to see the rich man with his great abundance of everything (Luke 16:21). But does not the same rich man present a sorry spectacle in hell after his death? Let us, therefore, not be offended by the good fortune of the ungodly; but let us open our spiritual eyes and keep in mind that such people are enjoying transitory and deceptive advantages in this world. We, however, who are afflicted and who live in the fear of God, have the hope of an eternal kingdom, when the ungodly will be subjected to eternal punishment."

Not with gold or silver...

"but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true."(SC)

AELW2:195

"But this happens by the definite counsel of God, who freely grants the ungodly an abundance of everything, even as they strive for it greedily and apply themselves to this endeavor. God does not permit their efforts to be in vain. Meanwhile the sons of God hunger, thirst, freeze, and die by hanging or fire. Why does this happen? Undoubtedly to make us understand that riches of another kind are promised to us in the Word and have been won for us by the Son of God. The ungodly are not concerned with these; they are interested in material things, which come to them in abundance, since they strive so vigorously to get them."

All the days of Noah

Genesis 9:29 "All the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years."

"The historical account reveals that Noah died in the fifty-eighth year after Abraham’s birth. Therefore Abraham, having availed himself of such an excellent and outstanding teacher for up to fifty years, was able to make considerable progress in religion. There is no doubt that Noah, full of the Holy Spirit, cherished this grandson with extraordinary fondness and love as the only heir of the promises given to Shem."

The deeds of the Patriarchs

AELW2:181

"These experiences teach us that we must not look for a city or a secure place in this earthly life; but in the diversity of our mishaps and of our lot, which this life brings with it, we must look to the hope of eternal life that has been promised to us through Christ. This is, after all, the harbor toward which we, like anxious and attentive sailors, should steer with all our strength in the great violence of the storms."

A draught from a brook and a draught from a crook

AELW2:156-157

"As a result of this, there arose those common expressions in the Holy Scriptures in which afflictions and perils are compared to an intoxicating cup. Surely, a striking understatement. Thus in Ps. 110:7 the passion of Christ is called a draught from a brook, as though one were to call it a medicinal potion or syrup, which, though bitter, heals by its bitterness and makes alive through its killing action. These disparaging terms have the effect of comforting us, that we may learn to disdain death and other perils, and to endure them with a more ready heart.

Satan, too, has his cup; but it is a sweet one and one that intoxicates to the extent of bringing on vomiting. Those who have been seduced by its sweetness and drain it lose their life and die an eternal death. Such was the cup that the Babylonian drained, as the prophet says (Jer. 25:15). Let us, therefore, receive the salutary cup with thanks, just as Paul says that the believers glory in tribulations (Rom. 5:3)."

An allegory of the Ark

AELW2:155

"Hence that which by its nature is nothing but wrath becomes grace for those who believe; that which is nothing but death becomes life. Thus whatever misfortunes there are, of Which this life surely has countless numbers and by which our bodies and goods are beset—all this will be turned into salvation and joy if you are in the ark, that is, if you believe and lay hold of the promises made in Christ; for death, which carries you away, must be turned into life, and hell, which engulfs you, into a way to heaven."

The comfort of God's promise

Genesis 8:21 "I will never again curse the ground because of man."

AELW2:118

"Their hearts were in great need of this comfort after they had been terrified by the greatness of God’s wrath, which they had observed in its rage. Because it was impossible for their faith not to be shaken by the contemplation of such great wrath, God is, as it were, constrained to shape His acts and words in such a way that their hearts look for nothing but grace and mercy. It is for this reason that He now converses with them, is present at their sacrifices, indicates that He is delighted by them, finds fault with His counsel, and promises that He will never again do anything of this kind. In sum, He now begins to be a different God from the one He has been thus far. Not that God changes, but that He desires a change in the people, who are now swallowed up, as it were, in contemplation of His wrath.

People who have gone through spiritual trials know how necessary it is to support their heart with a sure and strong comfort that will finally bring them back to the hope of grace and help them to forget the wrath. Often a single day or a single month is insufficient for this purpose; but just as the alleviation of sickness requires a long time, so these wounds of the heart are not cured at once or by a single word. Since God is aware of this, He tries in various ways to bring back the frightened hearts to a sure hope of grace."

Not alone...

Genesis 8:1, "But God remembered Noah..."

AELW2:103
"This difficult situation Moses describes by implication in the statement, “The Lord remembered.” He points out that Noah had drifted on the waters for so long that God seemed to have completely forgotten him. Men who live in such a conflict of thoughts—when the rays of divine grace are withdrawn, and we find ourselves in darkness or in a state of being forgotten by God—discover that it is far more difficult to live by the Word alone or by faith than to be a hermit or a Carthusian monk."

^ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”(Mt. 4:4)

Then or now, part deux?

The suppression of the Gospel and destruction of right established churches.

AELW2:84

"In this way the world is striving with great effort to achieve an age similar to the age of Noah, in which all men will go astray in the darkness of ungodliness once the light of the Word has been put out. When preaching has been done away with, faith, prayer, and the right use of the sacraments will not be able to exist."

Then or now?

Genesis 7:1"For I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation"

AELW2:83
"Moreover, this verdict about the world is in agreement with Christ’s statement; for because the last times will be similar to the times of Noah, Christ correctly declares (Luke 18:8): “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith?” It is dreadful to live in such an evil and ungodly world. Since we have the light of the Word, this present time, by the grace of God, is still a golden age. The sacraments are properly administered in our churches, and godly clergymen disseminate the Word in its purity. Although the government is weak, wickedness is not yet beyond hope."

Did Noah wear nikes?

Just do it? Okay, that was bad even for me...

We can only imagine that the world around Noah saw an ark being built and was laughing. Noah heard the command of God and acted accordingly. St. Paul would later say, "We must obey God rather than men."(Acts 5:29)

6:22. "Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him."

AELW2:80

"In this passage Moses fittingly praises Noah’s obedience when he states that Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. This is giving glory to God for His wisdom and goodness. He did not argue about the task, as Adam, Eve, and Saul did to their great misfortune. He complied with the majesty of Him who gave the command; this was sufficient for him, even though he was commanded to do things that were preposterous, impossible, and inconvenient. He passes by all these offenses as if with closed eyes and relies on this one fact, that it was God who had given the command."

The eight on the Ark and election.

Rather than possibilities wrought from speculation, focus upon the assurance given in Gods gifts...

AELW2:72

"At this point the sophists engage in a debate about an election made according to God’s purpose, but I have often warned that one must refrain from speculations about the uncovered Majesty. For just as they cannot possibly be true, so they are also useless for our salvation. Let us rather think about God in the manner in which He presents Himself in the Word and in the sacraments."

No seating chart for the Ark!

AELW2:66

"Then there is also some discussion about the difference of the chambers—about the upper, the middle, and the lower part (for the text makes mention of these parts)—and about which animals occupied which part. But this question cannot be settled."

But please do not forward this part to the EPA...

"I myself believe that the manure was thrown out, perhaps through the window. Since there were so many animals in the ark for more than a year, it was necessary to get rid of the manure."

Sorry Luther, you've gone too far!

Turnips! Are you kidding me? Maybe kohlrabi, but never turnips...But I guess if turnips were really as evil as I think, they would have been destroyed in the flood...

AELW2:65

"There were two results of the Flood: the powers of man were diminished; and his wealth, together with that of the earth, was reduced. The fruits that the trees produced were utterly unlike those they bore before the Flood. Before the Flood turnips were better than melons, oranges, or pomegranates were afterwards."

Does this mean today we're even stupider?

If these are Luther's thoughts on the patriarchs, then what of us?

AELW2:55

"Today our life is very short, and yet the extent to which human minds are advancing is quite clear. What do you suppose happened in those very long lives, when the keenness and vigor of the human mind was also greater? Our nature today is duller and more stupid by far."

What of the World?

AELW2:50-51

"What else can holy men do when the world absolutely refuses to mend its ways?

This is the perpetual characteristic of the true church: it not only experiences suffering and is dishonored and held in contempt, but it also prays for those who afflict it and is gravely concerned about their perils. In contrast, the closer the ungodly are to their condemnation, the greater is the smugness with which they indulge in amusements and pleasures."

"And the Lord was sorry..."

Genesis 6:6 "And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth"

AELW2:45

"I follow this general rule: to avoid as much as possible any questions that carry us to the throne of the Supreme Majesty. It is better and safer to stay at the manger of Christ the Man."

And...

AELW2:49

"The incarnate Son of God is, therefore, the covering in which the Divine Majesty presents Himself to us with all His gifts, and does so in such a manner that there is no sinner too wretched to be able to approach Him with the firm assurance of obtaining pardon. This is the one and only view of the Divinity that is available and possible in this life. But on the Last Day those who have died in this faith will be so enlightened by heavenly power that they will see even the Divine Majesty Itself. Meanwhile we must come to the Father by that way which is Christ Himself; He will lead us safely, and we shall not be deceived."

Imagine that

AELW2:41-42

"He (Moses) does not simply state that the thoughts of the human being are evil, but the very imagination of his thoughts. He applies this term to every capacity of human thought or of human reason and free will, even though it may be of the highest quality. He calls it imagination because man devises it with the utmost effort, selects, and fashions it as a potter does, and regards it as something very beautiful.

But this, says Moses, is evil, and not just once, but continually and at all times; for without the Holy Spirit reason is entirely devoid of any knowledge of God. Furthermore, to be devoid of any knowledge of God means to be completely ungodly; it means to live in darkness and to regard as best those things that are worst."

Church Growth?

No... It is not the prestige or wealth of the world, but the wealth of forgiveness in the WORD

AELW2:37

Genesis 6:4
"These were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown."

"This clause also serves to describe the small church with its few souls. These are cross-bearers who have neither prestige nor wealth but do have the Word. This is their only wealth, but it is wealth that the world both despises and persecutes. By contrast the נְפִלִים, or giants, not only usurp the glorious name of the church on the grounds that they are descended from the patriarchs, but they also wield authority."

As opposed to the work of the great false priest

While the previous post noted the work and obligation of the priest, I drop back a few pages in Luther to note the failings of satan.... I thought this quite a profound thought.

AELW2:6

"Now where these spiritual vices exist and flourish, it is easy to fall into the sins of the flesh. “For to fall away from God is the beginning of sin,” as Sirach says (Ecclus. 10:18). Thus the first fall of the devil is from heaven into hell, that is, from the First Table into the Second."

The duty of the Priest

AELW2:19

"...the duty of a priest is twofold: in the first place, to turn to God and pray for himself and for his people; in the second place, to turn from God to men by means of doctrine and the Word. Thus Samuel states in 1 Sam. 12:33: 'Far be it from me not to pray for you and not to lead you to the good and the right way.' He acknowledges that this is essential to his office."

It happens every day...

The Word of the Lord will endure forever...in spite of men.

AELW2:13

"3. Then the Lord said: My Spirit shall not continually judge in man, for he is flesh, but his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

Here Moses begins to describe Noah himself as a supreme pontiff and priest or, as Peter calls him, a “herald of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). But this text has been abused in various ways, for it is impossible for natural man to understand these spiritual matters. Accordingly, when interpreters with unwashed feet and hands leap into the Holy Scriptures and bring with them their human inclination and, as they themselves express it, “let reason rule,”  they inevitably fall into all kinds of errors. Besides, it usually happens that the more excellent and the more spiritual the texts are, the more execrably they are perverted. Thus they have abused this text in such a variety of ways that if you follow the interpreters, you do not know what to believe."

Luther Volume 2, Genesis, Chapters 6-14

Interesting note in the Volume 2 introduction. I recall fondly how much time Dr. Masaki (Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne) spent during class times, offering corrected translations and noting errors...

AELW2:x

"As in Volume 1, there are occasional asides to “the reader” (e. g., p. 259), a minor indication, but a significant one, that Luther’s Lectures on Genesis are removed from the status of a verbatim transcript by at least two stages: students took down lecture notes, with a characteristic fluctuation in accuracy; editors compiled these notes, with a greater editorial liberty than current canons of scholarship would allow. In addition, there are passages here in Volume 2, as there are in Volume 1, where the very language and conceptual framework suggest the influence of (Veit) Dietrich on the formulation of Luther’s thoughts (e.g., p. 207 f., p. 242)."